culture
El Paso's Film Scene Flourishes With New Venues and Annual Festivals
The 19th Plaza Classic Film Festival highlights how local cinema options have expanded with dedicated theaters and outdoor screenings.
How we reported this
The 19th annual Plaza Classic Film Festival runs through July 26 at the Plaza Theatre with over 80 feature films and 60 short films focused on classic cinema.
Festival as Marker of Scene Continuity
This annual event at the historic Plaza Theatre provides a consistent platform for classic films in El Paso. The festival's run from July 16 to July 26 draws on established programming that has continued for nearly two decades.
Recent Additions to Local Theaters
El Paso's dine-in options include Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and the Flix Brewhouse East El Paso, which opened in February 2026 and serves award-winning brews while restricting most showings to guests 17 and older. Cinemark Tinseltown Las Palmas XD at 11855 Gateway Blvd W operates as a 17-screen multiplex with 3D and SCREENX capabilities and currently screens titles such as Moana in luxury loungers.
Broader Recognition and Additional Venues
El Paso received recognition on MovieMaker's 2026 list of best places to live and work as a moviemaker and provided the setting for Paul Thomas Anderson's 2025 film One Battle After Another. Outdoor screenings occur through events like Movies Under the Stars at various parks in warmer months, while The Fountain Theatre near UTEP presents local and international independent films.
These elements together illustrate incremental additions to viewing options without major shifts in core locations. Residents can consult plazaclassic.com for festival schedules and visitelpaso.com for theater details to plan attendance at current screenings.